Cam Newton kicking it to help youngsters

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was at the center of the Cam Newton Foundation Charity Weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina, with the Kicking It with Cam kickball event on Friday and the Kids Rock Gala on Saturday.

That gave reporters plenty of opportunities to ask him why he took the time and put in the effort as the front man for a charity devoted to children.

"The great book says to whom much is given much is required," Newton told Marty Smith of ESPN.

"For me to be a somewhat driving force in the community, I've just got to make sure I do right by it each and every day," Newton said of his status as a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback for the Panthers.

"All I wanted to do is be able to impact my environment, no matter where I was -- predominantly I'm in Atlanta or Charlotte -- to have some type of following there and doing right, using my influence in a positive way and realizing that our youth is the future," Newton told the Charlotte Observer.

The Cam Newton Foundation describes its mission as "committed to enhancing the lives of youth by addressing their educational, physical and social needs."

"For me to get where I am today, for me to put on an event like (the kickball tournament), I'd be a fool to say or beat on my chest and say, 'Momma, I made it. I did it by myself,'" Newton said. "I have an unbelievable team with my foundation, and we just try to have a positive, controlled, healthy environment that people can have a good time, people can come together no matter what race, creed, color you are and just have a great time."

The Kids Rock Gala had Michael Strahan as the master of ceremonies and featured the theme "Be you. Uniquely you."

"It means just living everyday life the way you want to live it," Newton said. "I think I'm inspired by the representation of being unique."

Among the NFL players Kicking It with Cam was Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston. A former Hueytown High School star, Winston won the Heisman Trophy in 2013, three years after Newton won the award playing for Auburn.

"I grew up looking up to Cam my whole life," Winston told the Charlotte Observer. "There's no way I wouldn't be here for him."

Newton and Winston were No. 1 picks in the NFL Draft.

"Me and Jameis have been in contact for a couple of years, ever since he came into the league," Newton said. "I just try to be of a service to him. When I reached out to him, I was just happy he was able to come - just like everybody else."

Newton has been unable to pass during the Panthers' offseason practices after undergoing surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder. He did some pitching during the kickball games - underhanded, of course.